The RSPCA has slammed the State Government’s proposed amendments to animal welfare requirements at legitimate breeding business, accusing the government of “effectively legalising” abhorrent conditions for animals.

The State Government is currently undertaking a review of its code of practice regarding minimum standards of care for domestic animal breeding businesses, following a pre-election promise to crackdown on illegal puppy farms and animal abuse.

But a proposed revision of the code, which has been released for public consultation, has been strongly condemned by the RSPCA. READ MORE HERE

Changes to animal welfare laws across NSW may sound the death knell for registered dog breeders across the Hunter Valley and do little to stop the practice of puppy farms, breeders have warned.

Brandy Hill dog breeder Debbie O’Donnell has joined a groundswell of Dogs NSW members calling for the NSW government to reconsider its newly released Companion Animal Taskforce and to exempt purebred breeders from the recommendations.

The breeders believe the recommendations – which include the separation of male and female dogs – will eventually force dog breeders out of existence. READ MORE HERE

THE GEELONG ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN A SHELTER WORKS WITH RESCUE GROUPS. PICTURE: MARK GRIFFIN HERALD SUN

MAHATMA Gandhi said “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.

Leaving aside the more complex issue of how we treat our livestock, it’s still difficult to determine if Australia is a progressive, humane society or one with a moral compass in urgent need of repair.

We have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world and spend billions caring for our furry friends – but we also put down thousands of healthy cats and dogs every week.

This disturbing paradox is particularly conspicuous this time of year, when animal lovers happily pay more than $1000 for a designer puppy while unwanted cats and dogs sit on death row in shelters awaiting their cruel fate. READ MORE HERE

In last week’s Sunday Tasmanian Letters, several readers identified the costly contradiction between dog breeding operations and the existing surplus of companion animals. It’s costly for animals who pay the ultimate price and costly for us too. The interim care and end-of-life costs for dogs and cats in shelters are paid for by us, the community of rate-payers.

Meanwhile some breeders are proudly announcing the large profits they make for themselves while washing their hands of the over-supply problem. It just doesn’t make any sense that thousands of animals in need of homes are euthanased while profit-driven breeders continue to churn out puppies. Visit an animal shelter and you will find pure-bred dogs there. They are awaiting new homes along with many other appealing mixed breeds, including the ‘oodle’ varieties. READ MORE HERE